What does it mean to be a Zionist in 2025? Can diaspora Jews shape Israel's future from afar? Tami and Dash caught up with Romy Zyngier, research scientist, community builder, and head of one of the slates contesting Australian elections at this year's World Zionist Congress.

Learn more: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/once-in-a-generation-chance-to-shape-global-jewish-life 

The Jewish Independent does not endorse the views of or encourage readers to vote for any particular ticket.

Voting remains open until July 27th, requiring just $5 and a few minutes online. Visit this website to find out more. 

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In the aftermath of October 7, Zionism and 'Zionists' have been attacked on university campuses and within progressive circles around the world – sometimes with violent consequences. In this episode, Tami and Dash speak with Adam Kirsch, whose essay in The Jewish Quarterly argues that the Jewish people do not need to defend the term – they need to reclaim it.

Adam Kirsch is an American poet and literary critic. He is on the seminar faculty of Columbia University's Center for American Studies, and has taught at YIVO.

Adam's essay: The Z Word: Reclaiming Zionism

https://jewishquarterly.com/essay/2025/05/the-z-word

Articles discussed in this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-z-word-reclaiming-zionism

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In this episode of Ashamed to Admit (recorded prior to war breaking out between Israel and Iran) Tami and Dash unpack Lee Kofman’s essay about the phenomenon of Jews being perceived as white; the complexity, nuance and discomfort. Inspired by Tom Ben David’s piece for TJI, Dash reflects on the emotional gymnastics of holding two truths at once, while Tami recounts her surreal stay at Australia’s only kosher hotel. From Judea to St Kilda East, this conversation is full of tension, honesty and some much-needed laughter.

Articles mentioned in today’s episode: 

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/this-and-this-holding-contradictory-truths

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/am-i-white-im-not-sure

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This week, in a special episode of ATA, we examine the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Iran expert Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a former detainee of the IRGC, shares her insights on how the Iranian regime is responding to what may be its greatest challenge to power since the 1979 revolution. Dash and Tami also connect with two young Australians currently in Israel to bring listeners firsthand accounts from the ground.

Articles relevant to this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/israel-v-iran-the-best-analysis

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/iran-v-israel-another-war-without-an-exit-strategy

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/israel-has-two-aims-against-iran-is-either-achievable

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/iran-may-turn-to-international-terror 

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Does Judaism have a 'shame' problem? In their first-ever live recording of ATA, Tami and Dash joined the annual festival of Jewish ideas and culture at Limmud Oz. In their lively and packed session, Tami posed a question that's been nagging her recently about shame and Judaism.  To get some answers, they were joined by Rabbi Allison Conyer of Temple Beth Israel and Rabbi Ralph Genende of Kehilat Kesher, two rabbis with different perspectives. 

Ahead of his appearance at this year's Limmud Oz, Sydney-based psychotherapist, leadership coach and all-around mensch, Brandon Srot, chats with Tami and Dash about saying sorry, broiges and what he calls the "privilege of a lifetime"

Plus, Brando discusses the challenges of therapy in the world after October 7 and reveals his (not so shameful) shame. 

See Tami & Dash in a LIVE recording of Ashamed to Admit at Limmud Oz Melbourne Sunday, 8 June.

Note on this episode: When asked what he wished clients would do more of, Brando spoke to "putting oneself on the line" and seeing oneself as "part of the traffic," meaning, seeing what it is that one brings to a situation. While he was thinking about interpersonal and relational challenges when answering the question, Brando recognises that his reply can be misunderstood outside of its context and wants to emphatically stress that this may not be relevant to incidents of trauma, abuse, violence or loss. 

Articles relevant to this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/limmud-oz-program-highlights

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/a-nation-still-enveloped-by-suffocating-trauma

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Are you interested in Jewish creatives who are making exciting work in lush counter-cultural Australian landscapes? If you answered YES, then you’ve come to the right place. In this episode, Tami chats to dynamic & wildly creative artist Sara Yael about all of her crazy past (and present) lives, her EP “Live at the Knoll” and being part of the arts community post Oct 7. 

Come see Tami & Dash in a LIVE recording of Ashamed to Admit at Limmud Oz Melbourne 

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1391702

If you enjoyed this episode you might also enjoy these pieces from TJI

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/between-the-ears-a-new-way-to-experience-sephardi-mizrahi-history

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-hidden-jewish-origins-of-flamenco

Ferments on @madebysarayael

Shop / workshops - feast-for-the-people.square.site/

Music @iamsarayael

YouTube- www.youtube.com/@sarayael

Writings- madebysarayael.substack.com/

For all enquiries

Contact [email protected]

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Melbourne-based international lawyer and academic Michelle Lesh has spent two decades examining Israel's use – and misuse – of international law, with a particular focus on targeted killings. In this candid interview with Dash, Michelle opens up about recent attacks on Israel's democratic institutions and reflects on the extraordinary legacy of her late husband Mark Baker, whose posthumous memoir A Season of Death was recently named a finalist for the Age Book of the Year Award. 

Don't miss Michelle speaking at the Sydney Writers Festival on May 22nd, or the opportunity to experience Mark's evocative photography at the Jewish Museum—an exhibition that beautifully complements his written legacy and runs until July.

See Tami & Dash in a LIVE recording of Ashamed to Admit at Limmud Oz Melbourne Sunday, 8 June.

Articles relevant to this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/my-sense-of-collective-and-personal-belonging-has-been-shaken

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/mark-bakers-photography-comes-to-light

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/a-dismissal-of-the-icc-arrest-warrants-is-a-dismissal-of-international-law

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/tji-series/remembering-mark-baker

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/fighting-for-democracy-while-facing-my-dayenu

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Jewish educator and meme queen Shoshana Gottlieb aka @jewishmemesonly joins Tami in the studio to answer questions from a non-Jewish person. Except that non-Jewish person didn’t show up (dw, not in an anti-semitic way, she just had a last minute crisis). So Tami and Shoshana made lemons into lemonade, turning the episode into a crash course of Jewish texts with lots of Jewcy tangents. You’ll love this one. 

Buy tickets to the “Jewish & “ event in Sydney https://thejewishindependent.com.au/events/jewish

Articles relevant to this episode: 

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/think-people-want-chance-laugh-things-hold-sacred

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-influencer-intifada

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/owning-the-problems-in-jewish-schools-is-necessary-for-change

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Award-winning comedian, writer and professional provocateur Sami Shah joins Tami Sussman and Anthony Levin in the studio this week, but he’s not here to answer questions ... he’s here to ask them. In this loose, insightful and hilarious conversation, Sami probes the Anthony and Tami about South East Asian Jews, male circumcision and how they’d like to be buried. Expect laughter, discomfort, surprising insights and a few things you’re definitely ashamed to admit.

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Articles relevant to this episode: 

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/im-part-jewish-part-australian-and-part-indian-where-do-i-belong

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-dads-redefining-jewish-belonging-for-their-kids

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/save-a-seat-at-the-table-for-death

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/unnecessary-alarm-over-circumcision

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